Parachute fire escape



Aug. 22, 1950 E HELMS 2,519,964

PARACHUTEFIRE ESCAPE Filed April 21, 1948 Patented Aug. 22, 1950 UNITED STATES 1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to fire escapes and more particularly a parachute fire escape.

The primary object of this invention resides in the provision of a parachute fire escape adapted to quickly open when used by individuals jumping from windows of a burning building.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of a parachute fire escape adapted to open within a few feet of the point from which an individual jumps from a burning building.

A further object of this invention resides in the provision of a parachute fire escape adapted to safely convey an individual, jumping from a low point of a burning building to the ground.

A still further object of this invention resides in the particular construction of the dome of the parachute.

One of the salient features of this invention resides in the particular construction of the harness.

With these and other objects in view, this invention resides in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of elements to be hereinafter more particularly set forth in the specification, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and pointed out in the appended claim and, while this disclosure depicts my present conception of the invention, the right is reserved to resort to such departures therefrom as come within the scope of the claim.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application;

Fig. 1 is a side view of the parachute fire escape.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view taken approximately on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a similar view taken approximately on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the dome.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the ring with the harness connected thereto.

In the present illustration of this invention the numeral 5 designates, in general, a parachute flre escape consisting of a substantially rectangular dome 6 formed of suitable flexible material such as fabric, plastic cloth or the like having its corner 1 folded and sewed or otherwise secured to the body portion thereof to overbalance the side edges therebetween.

Preferably secured to the under surface of the dome 6 as by sewing or other well known means, is a plurality of flexible straps 8, certain of which extend diagonally from corners to opposite corners of the dome while the remaining ones extend from opposite sides of the dome to points midway between the corners with those portions PATENT ()FFFICE of the straps beyond the aforesaid edges of the dome connected to a strong metal ring 9 spaced therefrom and supporting a harness is through the instrumentality of the ends H of the straps. Said harness consists of a belt l2 adapted to be disposed around the body of an individual beneath the shoulders so as to permit his arms to extend through the spaces between the ends of the straps secured thereto and, in order to adjust the belt to individuals of different sizes, a buckle I3 or other suitable fastening element is secured to the ends of the belt.

Although the dome, straps and harness are formed from the materials heretofore set forth, it is within the purview of this invention to substitute fireproof material therefor or treat the same with flreproofing substances just so their flexible characteristics are not destroyed.

With a parachute fire escape constructed as heretofore set forth, it is apparent individuals trapped in burning buildings can jump from either low or high points thereof with assurance of safely landing on the ground and, through the simplicity of construction of the same, it can be cheaply manufactured and folded in compact condition for storage in small spaces in hotel rooms, buildings or travelling bags of individuals.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

A parachute fire escape comprising, a substantially rectangular flexible dome having its corners folded and secured to the body portion thereof, a metal ring spacedly disposed below the dome, a plurality of flexible straps having their medial portions crossed and secured to the body portion of the dome with those portions thereof adjacent their ends wrapped around and secured to the ring and with their portions extending therefrom, and a harness including an adjustable belt secured to the end portions of the straps.

ELLIS HERBERT I-IELMS.

EEFERENGES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS- Number Nam-e Date 1,353,131 Ruff Sept. 14, 1920 1,890,083 Graeff Dec. 6, 1932 2,053,342 Knight Sept. 8, 1936 2,396,092 Efstathiou Mar. 5, 1946 2,434,526 Thornton Jan. 13, 1948 

